expert contact

Expert Contact -

Example - A science teacher sets up a unit for students to investigate the impacts humans are having on ecosystems, both for abiotic and biotic factors. The teacher decides to let the students pick an ecosystem that sounds of interest to them. During the investigation, which may last a week or two, students have the ability to contact an expert of that ecosystem for help understanding information, to try and answer a question (not a question that can be Googled) or to help clarify an experimental setup.

Scientist - In this example you would be available through email or social media to help answer questions the students may have while investigating a certain topic (ecosystems, climate change, evolution are just some examples). This would be asynchronous and would not require a lot of time. In an example as such, the teacher tries to get a few scientists so one person isn't responsible for answering 30 questions.

1. You will agree to help mentor for a class or two. There will be a few scientists working with a teacher so they can break down the number of students per teacher. You will not be getting questions from 30 students at one time. 2. Each week you should receive communication from the students,usually in the form of email. You would be asked to respond to each email within a reasonable amount of time.3. Each email from the students should include updates, questions and thoughts on where they are in the progress of their project. Each email should be CC'd with the teacher in it (just one layer to help keep everyone safe).4. Time commitment - I am thinking no more than 20 or 30 minutes a week. Could be more based on how involved you would want to get with the students. This could last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks (once a week communication but of course could be more based on how involved you want to get).5. Do not do the project for the students. If the students are being disrespectful or asking simple questions that can be Googled, let the teacher know.

Teachers - In this partnership, you need to find a few scientists who would be willing to help. When you find about 3 or 4 then, break out what students will be talking to which scientist and how the communication will happen. If you have them email, have the student and scientist include you in on every email. I know it will fill up your email, but it is a simple way to keep track of the communication and to make sure everything stays good.